#60. Set The Bar Low.

And win.

I spend a lot of time with extraordinary people running all sorts of different businesses, and the one thing that connects us all is that we are always pushing for more.

But that’s not my concern, the pursuit of perfection is far more troubling.

Perfection can materialise in many ways, but there is one that’s most dangerous - I want it done like I do it.

This is a trap and one that many of us convince ourselves will bring our dreams to fruition. It is, however a path to self-destruction and failure.

When the unmet expectations manifest, they come in the form of frustration, lack of trust, impatience and often conflict.

Why?

Because we are painting a picture in our minds of what right or worse, perfection looks like, but it’s a picture no one else can see, let alone act upon.

When we look at the word ‘expectation’, we often miss a huge vitally important aspect of them: communication.

If you think about your most recent interaction with an employee, a client or a loved one, what do you see as the issue?

They weren’t listening?
They just don’t get it?
Why can’t they just do as I asked?
It’s obvious…

These are all statements of assumption. You are clear on the expectation, but those in front of you have no idea.

But I told them… I hear you say.

You did, but…

Are you saying something different to last time this came up?
Did the message land with purpose and understanding?
Do they have the tools to execute on the information?

In the absence of data there is only the story we tell ourselves.

So let’s take it a step further, our own expectations.

I don’t know about you, but mine are ridiculous. And I have never met them, not once.

But I have exceeded them… and I’ll share why.

In 2016 I decided to try out for the New Zealand World Championship Triathlon team to race in Mexico.

I saw my chances of making it as low. So I played a different game.

I beat them into submission.

I secured the services of an ex-Olympic Triathlon and Ironman Champion.

I had 18 months.

And I had committed to coming last. Yup. I agreed with myself that coming last was the goal.

Over the 18 months, I had several injuries, a failing business and a young daughter. I would have to train at night, in the rain, anything just to stay on track.

All for one big qualifying race, on my birthday, in front of my family.

And I did it. Physically and mentally exhausted I was over the moon, until…we found out I needed to race again in two weeks, for more points to be selected.

18 months of work and the rules changed. For me racing two weeks later was beyond expectations. A short course, high intensity and an average bike speed of over 40kms per hour and running low 4min km off the bike…

This was a big ask.

I raced, I nailed it and I suffered.

Then one day I got the email… ‘you have been selected’… I’ll never forget that moment.

So what of the race?

I fell sick the night before, no sleep, standing on the start line of the Triathlon World Championships - no time for fear.

It was one of the toughest races of my life - conditions were making athletes collapse on the course… but I finished.

And I didn’t finish last. I was 77th in the world. THE WORLD!

When I got home I raced again and WON my first race… by 9mins. I destroyed the competition.

Then I came third at another National Championships… and got selected again for another World Championships…

All based on setting expectations to come last.

This is not a negative mindset or setting the bar too low, look at the wins:

1. Never tried to qualify - I gave it a go.

2. I raced against the best in the country - I qualified top in NZ.

3. I trained enough to be competitive on the world stage - Top 1% mindset

4. I used that momentum to - keep winning.

Expectations are not about the outcome. They are about the decisions you make on the way to the outcome.

The person you choose to become.

The sacrifices you are willing to make.

I believe that if I tried to win the worlds, I wouldn’t have gotten to the start line. In the end, the process got me there and it got me success.

So next time you set a goal.. ask:

What is the goal?

The outcome, or the process.

Until next week, set a low bar to win big.

Gx

Feel like 2024 is your year? Start how you mean to go on here.

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